UNDER CONTROL IN 2 1/2 HOURS; HEAVY FIRE DAMAGE

A riot, estimated at involving around 500 prisoners, broke out into
the open at 12:35 PM Thursday at the Iowa State Men's Reformatory at Anamosa.
Prisoners were brought under control by 3 PM, but fire
still smoldered in several prison buildings as late as 4 PM.

Signs of unrest were apparent at breakfast time Thursday, when only
100 prisoners appeared. None showed up for lunch at noon.

When the work bell was rung at 12:35 it triggered the men into boos,
yelling, and acts of destruction involving vehicles and buildings.

Hardest hit of the prison buildings was the print shop, where rioters
smashed and overturned equipment and started the most serious fire. Fire
and rioters damaged the tailor shop, cutting room, sewing room, motor school,
cannery, auto license plate and sign plants.

At least one gunshot was fired by a guard over the heads of four
prisoners who were using a jeep as a battering ram, trying to smash down
the main gates. This was the only reported escape attempt.

No official estimate of the damage could be obtained late Thursday.
Warden Ray Purcell was on his way back from Des Moines, where he was attending
a meeting of the State Board of Control.

Every highway patrolman in district 12 responded to the call for
help, and all daytime duty patrolmen from districts 10 and 11 came as well.
Jones county Sheriff Ralph Albaugh and deputy Larry Himes were aided by
officers from Linn, Cedar and Jackson counties.

The Monticello fire department arrived to aid the Anamosa and prison
departments in halting the blaze. Many prisoners helped in battling the
fire.

"I ONLY SHOT TO SCARE THEM"

In an exclusive Express interview the unidentified guard who fired
the lone shot said, "I only shot to scare them".

"I saw this jeep load of prisoners as they left the motor school,
and headed toward the main gate. I shot in front of the jeep, and they
stopped immediately.

"They got out and ran to the other huddle of prisoners. I thought
they were trying to get to the gate, and shot to scare them."

RIOT REASON UNKNOWN

In an exclusive interview, prison business manager Lloyd Hoyle, who
was in charge during warden Purcell's absence, told the Express he had
no idea what triggered the riot and said that the real reason might never
be known.

"I believe," he said, "that it was a combination and
accumulation of grievances, many of which we can't control. There has been
no change in working hours, and no significant changes in work rules."

Hoyle added that only a few inmates reported for breakfast, and that
"every effort was made to provide a real good dinner meal, but they
just refused to eat it."

When the riot began, Hoyle went to the recreation area and tried
to talk with the prisoners. "I told them to put their grievances in
writing and the warden would give them a fair hearing, but they went on
rioting.."

UNOFFICIALLY SEEN AND HEARD

Several workers in the tailor shop reportedly refused to work for
about an hour Thursday morning.

Employees at the Jones county court house, a block away, could clearly
hear the noise made by the rioters.

Prison office girls were sent home at noon, when prison officials
suspicioned something might be brewing.

Flames were shooting 20 feet in the air above the print shop at one
time.